December 2016

USCIS has updated Form N-400 Application for Naturalization. As of December 23, 2016, USCIS will ONLY accept the new version. Also, as of December 22, 2016, USCIS will require the new fees to be paid for N-400 and all other USCIS forms that have been subject to the fee increase.

Whenever you send a form to USCIS, make sure to check the required form version on the day that you postmark the application. Likewise, whenever you submit fee to USCIS, make sure to the check the required fee on the day that you postmark the fee. Periodically USCIS changes form versions and sometimes eliminates earlier versions from being accepted. If you submit a form that is outdated or an incorrect fee, USCIS will almost always return the application and fee to you. Generally, you can refile the form and fee with the corrected version or fee. If you must file a form by a specific deadline, however, USCIS may not forgive a late form or fee that is the result of you having originally submitted the incorrect form version or fee.

As stated by AILA, “This article from the Associated Press reports that some advocates are advising DACA recipients to make sure they are not traveling abroad when Donald Trump is sworn in as president on January 20, 2017, and quotes AILA President William Stock on how Trump could rescind the DACA program.”

During his campaign, President-Elect Trump made horrible statements about many Americans–US citizen Americans and non-US citizen Americans. From his words and actions, it is clear that he has no understanding of the positive impacts that foreign-born people bring to our nation. To help some of our most vulnerable and valuable young community members, take action through AILA to protect DREAMers.

The US Department of State publishes an updated Visa Bulletin each month with updated priority dates for family and employment based immigrant petitions.
The January 2017 Visa Bulletin is at https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/law-and-policy/bulletin/2017/visa-bulletin-for-january-2017.html.

Many of us are concerned about President-Elect Trump’s views on immigration (aside from his wife’s alleged misuse of her visa). Attached is information from the American Immigration Lawyers’ Association about what Trump could do with a “stroke of a pen” on the first day (or any day) of his Presidency.

As of the writing of this blog, however, no immigration laws or policies have been changed. If you ever hear about an immigration change and believe that it could affect you, consult with an attorney before you take any action in reliance on what you heard from friend, family, co-workers or other members of your communities.